The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,213 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,980

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
95.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

£4,595

2L
110.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carnatics Motor Company Limited

01844391476 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dmac Motors Ltd

02882440436 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI 2.0 TSI 265ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£41,415

2L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

1.6L
81.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,988

2L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - R 2.0 TSI 300 5dr 4MOTION DSG VIRTUAL COCKPIT TOP SPEC

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Car World Motors Ltd

01924668250 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£19,290

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - AUTOMATIC VW FOLF 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,900

1.4L
50.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Parkwood Cars Ltd

01566700824 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Reduced

£14,700

1L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,500

Finance available £369 pm

1.5L
52.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£8,800

Finance available £174 pm

35.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Universe Limited

01708202780 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

£1,999

1.9L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DT Trading Shrewsbury LTD

01743291620 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,698

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,500

Finance available £273 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Park Road Garages Ltd

01234862513 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2016)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2009 to 2016)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.2 - 2
MPG:: 33 - 74
Acceleration:: 5.5 - 13.9 seconds
Boot space:: 250 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.2 TSI S 2dr
Cheapest
1.4 S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

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